Manukainiu, a 19-year-old redshirt freshman, and Vaenuku, an 18-year-old freshman, were passengers in a 2002 Toyota Sequoia that drifted off U.S. Highway 550 just north of Cuba, according to the University of Utah, which cited a New Mexico state police report.

"We lost a terrific young man," Texas A&M head football coach Kevin Sumlin said in a statement provided by that university. "Polo was loved by his teammates and coaches. Anyone who came in contact with him was struck by his sense of humor and smile. My heart aches for his mom and family members."

Manukainiu and Gaius were high school teammates. A 13-year-old passenger, Andrew Uhatafe, was also killed. Survivors included Utah freshman offensive tackle Siaosi Uhatafe and his father, Salesi Sr. Siaosi Uhatafe, 18, was identified in a state police news release as the driver of the vehicle.

The state police news release said it appears the vehicle was southbound and drifted off the road to the passenger side. The driver overcorrected, causing a loss of control and causing the vehicle to roll several times. Two of the passengers were tossed from the vehicle.

Manukainiu offered a chilling tweet prior to his death that read, "22 hour drive back to Texas on no sleep. Oh my."

"Everyone who knew Gaius is heartbroken today," Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham said. "He was the kind of young man who lit up a room, and his future in football and life had no boundaries. Words cannot express our devastation over the loss of Gaius. This is a sad day not only for University of Utah football, but for everyone whose lives Gaius crossed or would have crossed but for this tragedy."

According to the police report, the driver and a fifth passenger were taken to San Juan Regional Hospital in Farmington, N.M., after sustaining minor injuries. Uhatafe, Gaius and Vaenuku were "declared deceased upon arrival of Officers." Additionally, the state police news release said only the driver was wearing a seat belt.

Manukainiu and Vaenuku had played for Trinity High in Euless, Texas, and were going to be competing for spots on their teams' respective defensive lines.

Hundreds of friends and teachers gathered at the high school Tuesday to mourn the deaths. School officials sold T-shirts with the teen-agers' last names printed on the back with the slogan "Our Boys, Our Family, Our Hearts" printed in the front. Proceeds from the sales will go the families of the teens to help defray costs arising from their deaths.

Contributing: The Associated Press

Scott Gleeson, a national colleges writer/producer for USA TODAY Sports, is on Twitter @ScottMGleeson.